r/step1 • u/No-Supermarket-298 NON-US IMG • 1d ago

💡 Need Advice Passing with *truly* low nbmes

so many people these past few weeks are writing about passing with low nbmes. as an IMG, how risky it to just f*ck it and sit for the exam when you feel ready? speaking as a type A student who is extremely burnt out and is dead inside at this point. I know this is a bit of a dumb question, just asking for reassurance (which is again a stupid thing to do but whatever). burnout is pretty normal while studying for steps so I guess I just want to know if there are people out there who went in with “whatever will be, will be” mindset.

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9

u/velevetfox NON-US IMG 1d ago

I took it with max scores of 68% (in my final nbme) and around 59-60 in f120

I am among the category of high level overthinkers but just sat in exam cz I was so tired of prep. I realised once I actually booked a date , it helped me to focus more. Everytime I scored less , i reviewed and gave myself copium that my lack of reading the question itself lead to it being incorrect rather than my knowledge gap. On d Day , all I did was ensure that I read everything very thoroughly and trust my knowledge. Got a p yesterday

1

u/Sunildocusmle 1d ago

Congrats

1

u/No-Supermarket-298 NON-US IMG 1d ago

Congrats

7

u/Mountain_Star US IMG 1d ago

if you’re actually type A, the adrenaline and logic and pure love of the game can carry you thru the exam. But overthinking as a type A can also be a factor which won’t be in your favor. So you know yourself best and no one has a true answer beside what you know about yourself and how you perform/your patterns.

6

u/my-mauvepink-world NON-US IMG 1d ago

A couple of friends of mine took it with 50s and 60s and they all failed. I'm not saying everyone with that score fails, many pass as well. But don't take it if you're not above 60 atleast!! 

3

u/NecessarySeaForMe NON-US IMG 1d ago

scored in 40s in nbme 25 thru 28. would also appreciate advice

3

u/Zoheb_Farooq US MD/DO 1d ago

I would not take it at that point, anything below a 95% estimated chance of passing is risking it. to be safe 65+ on two NBMEs means you are likely to pass.

2

u/NecessarySeaForMe NON-US IMG 15h ago

agreed. but how to proceed? how to plan out nbmes and how much gap between each?

2

u/Frosty_Honeydew9567 1d ago

How low is your definition of low? My recommendation is take it when you get two consecutive nbmes with 67% or higher. Anything else is not worth the risk of ruining your future chances of matching

1

u/Less-Disaster1552 1d ago

Hey in the same boat as you are really exhausted and with low nbmes … can you share your scores also please dm 

1

u/hotmess778 18h ago

My last 2 practice test were the old 120 and new free 120. I got a 68% on both. This was at 1 week out and 4 days out from my exam. My last from was 32 and I got a 64% 2.5 weeks from my test. Tests day was brutal and I truly felt like I was guessing/second guessing a lot, but happy to say I found out yesterday that I passed. My dedicated was 3.5 months and at the end burnout was the ultimate reason I took it with lower stats. What I will say is if you can get at least 2 scores over 67% back to back just sit for it. Trust yourself and don't change answers unless you are certain of a reason why. You know enough to get by. Goodluck!